June 12, 2012. The weather station at the top of Grandfather Mountain recorded above average rainfall during May. The rainfall total of 10.48 inches was 4.84 inches, or 85 percent, above the 56-year average rainfall total for May of 5.64 inches. Rain for the year-to-date is 28.3 inches, which is 2.54 inches (or 10 percent) above the norm for this time of year. Rain fell 16 days during the month.

Grandfather Mountain measures precipitation at multiple locations on the Mountain. An automatic weighing precipitation gauge on the corner of the Top Shop parking lot recorded 10.33 inches of liquid precipitation this month. Entrance Gate employees recorded 9.73 inches of rain for the month and the naturalist staff recorded 10.7 inches at the weather equipment near the Fudge Shop.

The automatic weather station at the top of Grandfather Mountain recorded the average high temperature for the month as 62.4 degrees and the average low temperature as 49 degrees. These numbers read just a bit higher than the State Climate Office data from Mt. Mitchell State Park. The average high temperature at Mt. Mitchell was 59.8 degrees and the average low temperature was 47.6 degrees.

For more information on Grandfather Mountain’s weather data or to access current conditions please visit www.grandfather.com.